diff --git a/main/apiauth.py b/main/apiauth.py
index db9bf14..4e3f761 100644
--- a/main/apiauth.py
+++ b/main/apiauth.py
@@ -17,12 +17,12 @@ def api_auth():
     credentials['email'] = os.getenv('ACCESS_CONTROLLER_API_EMAIL')
 
     # prefer token, use password if token not provided
-    if token is not None:
+    if token:
         credentials['token'] = token
-    else:
-        if password is None:
-            raise ValueError('access_controller token or password not in env')
+    elif password:
         credentials['password'] = password
+    else:
+        raise ValueError('access_controller token or password not in env')
 
     zenpy_client = Zenpy(**credentials)
     zenpy_user: ZenpyUser = zenpy_client.users.search(email).values[0]